It is a great shame that the inclement British weather has to upset an event that is meant for fun and frolic in the late summer sunshine. It's also a shame for Fontwell park (one of my favorite racecourses) that over the years has been scuppered by harsh weather. Well this meeting was one of them.
Starting off with all the best intentions, the seven race card, with two Charles Owen Pony Racing series races after racing, and all the fun of the fair continued the weather blew in. We can moan,groan and go home, but nothing i suppose comes anywhere near what the dear soles in the paths of Irma and the hurricanes before have had to endure.
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| Poetic Lady |
Neil Mulholland saddles the winner of this Poetic Lady ridden by Noel Fehily who riding his three hundred and forty fifth winner of his career steered home the six year old to beat Seamus Mullins's Kentford Heiress by four lengths.
'She is a nice genuine improving filly' mentioned the jockey. The trainer said,'she has been in the pize money each time she has ran since coming over from Ireland, she is a mare that needs confidence and we rode her with that in mind today.'
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| Second place Kentford Heiress and fourth placed Miss Spent cover on the far side the winner Poetic Lady |
Local and popular trainer at Fontwell Gary Moore took his first juvenile hurdle winner of the season in the shape of three year old gelding Lord E, ridden by Jamie Moore in the two mile one furlong event.
The gelding on his first outing over obstacles only placed once from six runs on the flat, looked green running slightly right on the run in after taking the lead coming over the last.
The pint sized three year old who the trainer mentioned had a big heart, 'he would of been out and about earlier to be fare but he has met with bit of a set back, he would have gone to the sales but i was told i could keep him on, so it was nice to get that win into him today.'
A bold move that paid off, more likely this gelding will still make the sales ring, with the win now looks a more promising purchase. Can he repeat, only time will tell. One to watch i feel.
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| Lord E, ridden by Jamie over the last second place Karuna Peak behind |
Spirtofchartwell ridden by Katy Lyons made their charge two out and stayed on well to be unchallenged beating Saffron Prince from the David Bridgewater yard by two lengths.
'I only have a permit out at the moment to train, this is my third runner, i had two yesterday,' Mentioned the trainer that has ridden over 300 winners point to pointing.
' I was going to ride him myself, but with all the work getting the permit out i realized i couldn't make the weight, so Katy comes and schools for me so i got her on him as he has a few things you have to get used to before racing. I was not too sure the distance was long enough for him, he has stamina but not the speed, with a circuit to go he was still with the leaders i did fell a bit more confident.'
Situated in Effingham Common Phil has four ready for the track at present,' I have six other but not long broken in so it will be a while before they see a track, but a fantastic win today, very happy with that.'
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| Spirtofchartwell ridden by Katy Lyons accompanied in by trainer Phil York |
The jockey lying just behind champion Richard Johnson with fifty seven winners in the jockey standings at present had to work hard on the gelding with now six wins from forty five outings.
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| Workbench |
The horse with his first win over hurdles more suited to the fences having taken five wins over the larger obstacles, the last race won at Fontwell just over a year ago. One to note next time out i feel here in October, more like go off the favorite though.
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| Andy Gardiner who looks after him, rides him and generally puts his life into him |
Trained by Epsom based Brett Johnson the horse well ridden by Cannon from two out, edging slightly right in the testing ground the five year old stayed on well to gain his win.
'He likes this softer ground really,' mentioned the jockey. 'The new all weather bend has helped him a bit really as i have been able to give a breather at that point, he dos'nt really help himself but he has done that well and stayed the trip.' The jockey not long back from injury mentioned he felt well and looking forward to the rest of the season.
The horse, one to note with two thirds and a win in his last three runs could now be going in the right direction.
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| Jackblack off top weight of 11 st 5 lbs, giving second placed Thisonetime 6 lbs from a length win past the line. |
The penultimate race, and the last of the chase races of the afternoon, took part in a deluge of rain, sending punters and noted some of the rails bookmakers packing.
The inform yard of Fergal O'Brien sent out his eighteenth winner of the season as Rockchasebullett took the two mile five furlong handicap chase by seven lengths ridden by Paddy Brennan.
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| Rockchasebullett |
'He likes it here really and the ground suited him with the distance raced, he has done that well for an ambitious trainer.'
One again to note if coming back to the figure of eight track on soft ground as the season continues.
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| Rockchasebullett took the two mile five furlong handicap chase by seven lengths ridden by Paddy Brennan |
Taking the final bend Treadwell kicked on the four year old filly that showed a good turn of foot in the rain sodden ground. 'She certainly has an engine for sure,' mentioned the jockey. 'She hasn't been foot perfect going around taking a strong hold early on,
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| Malindi Bay, Liam Treadwell |
but i knew she has stayed the three miles taking an Irish Point to point maiden, I've managed to give her a breather and she has taken it on in the later stages. Onwards and upwards with her.'
A tough type, with definite turn of foot, and a good advert in what Point to pointing can do preparing horses for under rules. Sometimes you can take these bumper wins with a pinch of salt, this one i feel should be one to watch.
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| 'She certainly has an engine for sure,' mentioned the jockey |
